I need to start collecting some for my restoration on a 51' F1. So, what are some good brands out there I should look at? Suggestions would really help me.

What I am looking at getting are some of the following Air tools:

Die grinder
Reciprocating Saw
DA sander
ratchet and impact gun

I've already got a compressor (a small one though).

Any and all suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I wanna start gathering these as soon as possible. So, fire away!!

 

WALMART has good prices on impact & ratchet and easy to take back if it breaks. I havn't used my impact but the ratchet works good. Sure you can spend alot on snapon or craftman but thats money you could use for truck parts. Walmart will take them back no ?????'s asked. Plus you can get something to eat or wear all in the same stop. LOL LOL

 

Check out pawn shops for used tools....they have tons of tools because of the bad economy. I try to buy USA made tools if possible....this can be tough, even good brands like Craftsman, Vise grip, even some Snap-on are imported.

 

Check Craigslist, you can buy a lifetime's accumulation for nickels on the dollar. More likely to be quality if they are an old-timer's set bought in the '50's

 

First, check Craigs list. You need a compressor that can handle an impact. You may find a steal! Better air tools use less air so the compressor keeps up. I buy from Harbor Feight because I can't afford the good stuff. Mine use more air so I just have to wait fro the compressor to catch up sometimes. Jag

 

Start with a big compressor otherwise all those air tools will make nice paperweights and be a source of frustration without enough air to drive them.

I bought my first compressor based on what my plasma cutter needed to operate and had one that was just big enough to accommodate it. Then I started buying air tools and learned real fast that I needed a bigger compressor.

Also, lay in a supply of foam ear plugs because those air tools make some noise!!

 

The tool I used the most was a Dremel with thin cutoff blades. I couldn't live without it.

 

Man, just get two of everything, that way when you can't find the tool you just put down, you'll have a spare to fall back on...

 

I started out as a young airplane mechanic with no money and crap tools. When I started in a shop my boss insisted that we use good quality tools....they are more compact and they don't break as much....also, they don't damage the hardware nearly as much as the cheap sockets or wrenches that spread out and round off bolts (not to mention that you can get hurt when a socket breaks at the wrong time). So...I bought a mix of Mac and Snap-On tools. Since I don't work in a shop anymore, I have to hunt down a Mac or Snap-On truck if I break a tool. That being the case, I started buying the Craftsman tools, which are usually manufactured by Proto. I can get the warranty at Sears or now..Ace hardware.

I have found a lot of Snap-On stuff at garage sales and flea markets over the years.

Dan

 

Jayhawk...

I can see all but the recip saw... there are other things you'll need more than that. I don't know if you have ANY tools or just homeowners tools... hammer, screwdrivers and a slip joint plier or two.

buy the best tools you can afford... up to a limit... truck tools are nice for the pro or the collector...but rarely will a home wrencher notice the difference in a craftsman and a snapon... you just don't do that much wrenching... the suggestions before are good ones... check craigslist. pawn shops are iffy for a good deal, everytime I shop there it seems they want new prices for used tools. Flea markets are another good source and garage sales. If H.F. is all you can afford, then you gotta make do... just use them carefully and plan on replacing them as time goes on.

Kobalt, Craftsman, Klein, S-K, Stanley, and others all make fair to good quality tools and can be found at most flea markets, pawn shops and garage sales..

I'd invest in a 3/8" drive socket set with a decent ratchet.. a couple of extensions and 6 or 12 point sockets... 6pt IMO are better...less slip but good 12's are ok too... look at the sockets when buying... if they seem worn and well used...pass them by.. they should have sharp edges and show no abuse.

a couple of adjustable wrenches (cresent) are handy but don't go crazy buying them...

a decent set of combination wrenches (open end on one end...boxed end on the other... boxed in are better for maintaining nut shape... open end are easier to get into places sometimes. Most of everything you'll find on our trucks is standard... very little metric

a pair of channel lock pliers, needle nosed, side cutters, and vice grips will do you well

next a good set of screwdrivers... not the dollar bin brand... I've got Craftsman, S-K Klein and others... but buy a brand name... most have a lifetime gaurantee. the cheapies will break and twist to a useless piece of metal. Good ergo handles are nice also... but shy away from the padded foam handles, they tend to wear quickly and soften up when cleaning.

Hammers... ball pein should be used for metal work. maybe a 8 oz and 16oz for most beating.. a 4# sledge is handy for persuasion.

Punches/chisels/etc a couple of center punches, a good cold chisel or two and a few pin punches are nice to have... as well as a brass drift and a tapered punch for lining up parts

You'll need to beef up your compressor to run air tools... a little pancake compressor or a box store 2-3 hp just won't cut it... air tools are nice but suck up some air... another option is cordless... I use my cordless drills and impact more than my air tools for general stuff... the impacts for tire changes , large bolts/nuts and such...

There are a hundred other options... mirrors... extension pick up tools, several different varieties of wrenches, ratchet wrenches, offset boxed in, tube wrenches... your visa limit is your only limit... The more complete your tool box the easier your job will be...

I'd build basic tools first then go for the high dollar electrics and air tools... eventually you'll need a torque wrench and some specialty tools maybe for engine works and such.... and a big ole honkin box or two to put them in... not a carry around tool box... a stack of chests that looks like a nascar pit box !!!!!

here's some more to look at to give you ideas

New Page 3


believe it or not... I looked at this page and noticed that it's bad out of date... I've added a lot since this was taken... around 2009.

happy tool gathering

john

 

Now that's just sick!! Do you really keep them that neatly arranged?! You could fit a lot more in each drawer if it looked like mine....

Seriously, I agree with your tool comments, although I think I use deep-offset box end wrenches more than anything else. A 1/2 x 9/16 will do 90% of the truck.

I regularly pick up S-K, Proto, Crescent, and other quality brand wrenches at garage sales (usually run by women) for less than a buck. Scored an S-K 1/2" drive 8" extension a couple weeks ago for $1 -- never used.

 

Like your toolbox Ross, looks just like mine!

 

LOL John? Do you use those tools or are they just for show? LOL

 

Mine too, but yours is still more organised!

 

It's obvious you guys don't live with Zack - I have no idea where all my
tools are - they just walk in & out with my 19 year old son & his band of school friends. They are forever fixing stuff - I gave up keeping track years ago - I just buy the replacements I need when they turn up missing. (I think it's just a little nuts that you actually have pictures of your tool drawers. You guys would kill Zack).

Ben in Austin